Glove

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a glove that can reduce a humid feeling during usage while realizing a grip force, usability, workability, and breathability. The glove of the present invention includes a hand-shaped base layer ( 2   a   , 2   b ) made of fibers having a stretching property, a coating ( 3   a   , 3   b ) formed on the surface of the base layer ( 2   a   , 2   b ), at least on the surface of a palm of the base layer, and a plurality of breathing pores ( 4   a   , 4   b ) formed in the coating ( 3   a   , 3   b ), wherein the opening areas of the breathing pores ( 4   b ) when the glove is worn are larger than the opening areas of the breathing pores ( 4   a ) when the glove is not worn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a glove, and in particular to a glovewith a coating which makes it easy to grasp an object and is grippy andwhich is intended to prevent water penetration, while being capable ofpreventing a hand from feeling humid due to the coating.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, a variety of gloves are used in different situations,such as manufacturing operation in a factory, agricultural work,gardening, light work, and construction operation. A glove achieves ahigh efficiency of work, as well as protecting a worker's hand. Here,gloves can be classified into a type of glove obtained by knittingfibers, such as a cotton work glove, and a type of glove made of rubberor resin mainly for the purpose of a waterproof property.

A glove obtained by knitting fibers, such as a cotton work glove, isexcellent in breathability and workability, but has the problems thatthe glove is slippery when an object is grasped with the glove and thatwater easily infiltrates into the glove. On the other hand, a glovehaving a high waterproof property has the problem that breathability andworkability are poor.

Under these circumstances, in order to achieve workability,breathability, prevention of feeling humid, and slip resistance,respectively, a glove is suggested whose part, which is part of thesurface of a base layer obtained by knitting fibers and which is a palmpart, is provided with a coating of resin or the like. The part coveredwith the coating is expected waterproof property to some extent, and apart which is not covered with the coating exerts breathability. Inaddition, since the material of the coating part is resin, rubber, orthe like, the coating part can be expected to have a non-slip effect,thereby improving a gripping property. This is because it is made easyto grasp an object securely, since the material of the coating or thecoating increases frictional force.

In a case where a worker works with such a glove on, however, inpractice, the worker tends to sweat more and more easily feel humid onthe palm part provided with the coating than on a palm back part whichis not provided with the coating. In this case, since the palm part iscovered with the coating, it is difficult to diffuse sweat or watergenerated on the palm. As a result, a condition under which it becomeseasily humid occurs inside the glove, and the worker feelsuncomfortable.

In addition, while the coating makes the glove grippy in relation to anobject to be grasped, the problem occurs that inside the glove, water onthe palm makes the glove slippery in relation to the hand or, on theother hand, the glove becomes difficult to take off. As a result, theglove provided with the coating on the palm side has the problem thatusability or workability becomes worse.

On the other hand, such a glove provided with the coating on part of thepalm or the surface is used in a variety of situations. In using theglove in such situations, (1) slip resistance in grasping an object, (2)a certain waterproof property which can be expected externally ingrasping an object, (3) a certain waterproof property expected in notusing the glove, are expected to be achieved. If these requirements canbe achieved, then a structure by which usability or workability isimproved is required.

For this purpose, a technique for securing breathability while providingthe coating has been suggested (for example, see Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2002-129418 and Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2007-84975). Alternatively, a technique for formingbreathing pores in a glove when the coating is formed has been suggested(for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-53908and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-131813). Furthermore,a technique for breathing pores due to rupture of air bubbles has beensuggested (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. S63-58922and National Publication of International Patent Application No.2009-527658).

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2002-129418-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2007-84975-   Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    H10-53908-   Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2001-131813-   Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Publication No. S63-58922-   Patent Document 6: National Publication of International Patent    Application No. 2009-527658

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-129418 discloses a glovewhose breathability is secured by, after forming a sol-like resin layer,attaching discrete particles to the resin layer, and perforating theresin layer when removing the discrete particles. That is, the glovedisclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-129418satisfies both of an anti-slip or certain waterproof effect due to theresin layer and securing of breathability.

However, the glove disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2002-129418 is provided to a worker with the resin layer perforated.When being provided in such a state, the glove has the problem that whenthe glove is not in use, water might penetrate the glove through thepores in the resin layer and damps the inside of the glove. In addition,the glove disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2002-129418 has the problem that since optimization of securing ofbreathability and how the inside of the glove get humid are notperformed, workability, breathability, and usability for a worker towork with the glove on cannot be secured.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-84975 discloses a glovewhose breathability is secured by coating with resin an unprocessed sewnor knitted supporting liner provided with fine protrusions.

Regarding the glove disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2007-84975, however, a specific configuration of the breathing poresis not disclosed. Further, as in the case of the glove in JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-129418, a certain waterproofproperty when the glove is not in use is not considered. In addition,there is the problem that optimization of securing of breathability andhow the inside of the glove get humid is not performed, workability,breathability, and usability for a worker to work with the glove oncannot be secured.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-53908 andJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-131813 disclosetechniques of rupturing air bubbles in a foamed resin coating to formbreathing pores in the surface of a glove. These conventionaltechniques, however, do not disclose that a user wears the glove,thereby opening the breathing pores. Therefore, the gloves disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-53908 and Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2001-131813 cannot achieve both a certainwaterproof property expected when the glove is not in use, andbreathability when the glove is in use.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-131813 and JapanesePatent Publication No. S63-58922 disclose techniques of allowingventilation through ruptured air bubbles. The techniques in JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-131813 and Japanese PatentPublication No. S63-58922, however, do not disclose that breathing poresare opened by wearing the glove, and the openings of the breathing poresare small when the glove is not worn.

As described above, regarding the gloves in the conventional techniques,it is disclosed that breathability is secured by forming breathingpores, but there is the problem that (1) a certain waterproof propertyexpected when the glove is not in use and breathability when the gloveis in use, (2) optimization of securing of breathability and how theinside of the glove get humid, (3) securing of usability of the glove,and the like, cannot be achieved.

In particular, in the case of work with use of a glove, the glove whichis not worn might be left on a work table, so that in this situationthere is the problem that water might penetrate the glove in the abovesituation. Once water penetrates the glove, the penetrating water causesan uncomfortable feeling when a user puts on the glove. During wearingof the glove, sweat mainly on the palm causes an uncomfortable feeling.In consideration of conditions of use of a glove, it is important tosecure breathability and usability obtained from the breathability inorder not to impair the workability of the glove.

An object of the present invention is to provide a glove that can reducea humid feeling when the glove is in use, while achieving grip force,usability, workability, and breathability.

Means for Solving the Problem

Under these circumstances, a glove according to the present inventionincludes a hand-shaped base layer made of fibers having a stretchingproperty, a coating formed on the surface of the base layer, at leastthe surface of a palm of the base layer, and a plurality of breathingpores formed in the coating, wherein the opening areas of the breathingpores when the glove is worn are larger than the opening areas of thebreathing pores when the glove is not worn, and the base layer has aplurality of stitches so that the stitches and the breathing porescommunicate with each other when the breathing pores are opened bywearing the glove.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

Since the glove according to the present invention has the coating layerformed on a part, including the palm side, of the glove, breathabilitycan be secured by the breathing pores formed in the coating layer, withimproved object grip force. Furthermore, since the breathing pores areexpanded when the glove is worn, the glove is not easily penetrated bywater when the glove is not worn, and breathability can be secured whenthe glove is worn. As a result, an uncomfortable feeling due to theexternally penetrating water when the glove is worn is eliminated, andan uncomfortable feeling due to water, such as sweat on the palm, duringwearing of the glove is reduced. That is, the glove can deal with bothof the causes of uncomfortable feelings that might arise before andduring wearing of the glove.

In addition, a wearer sweats on the palm or the bases of fingers morethan on the other parts in the glove, and in the glove according to thepresent invention, the density or areas of the breathing pores in partscorresponding to such parts of a hand of the wearer is made high orlarge. As a result, a humid feeling during wearing of the glove andduring working is reduced, and a difference in grip force between theinside and outside of the glove is reduced, so that the glove becomesdifficult to take off.

In addition, if the breathing pores are differently formed according torespective parts of the glove, it becomes possible to maintain thedurability of the glove while responding to breathability different frompart to part. Furthermore, by applying an idea to coating formationparts variously, a humid feeling or an uncomfortable feeling can bereduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glove according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the glove according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partially enlarged views of a coating according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a relationship between a base andbreathing pores of the glove according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are descriptive views showing how the breathing poresexpand according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a glove according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the glove according to the second embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of a glove according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a descriptive view showing a process of manufacturingbreathing pores 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a glove according to a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the glove according to the sixth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the glove according to the sixth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the glove according to the sixth embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a front view of the glove according to the sixth embodimentof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A glove according to a first aspect of the present invention includes ahand-shaped base made of fibers having a stretching property, a coatingformed on the surface of the base layer, at least the surface of a palmof the base layer, and a plurality of breathing pores formed in thecoating, wherein the opening area of the breathing pores when the gloveis worn is larger than the opening area of the breathing pores when theglove is not worn.

This configuration makes it possible to achieve breathability due to thebreathing pores while securing high durability, gripping property, and acertain waterproof property due to the coating.

In a glove according to a second aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the first aspect, the base layer has a plurality ofstitches, and when the breathing pores are opened by wearing the glove,the stitches and the breathing pores communicate with each other.

According to this configuration, it becomes possible to breathe air orexhaust air between the surface of a hand of a wearer and the outside ofthe glove.

In a glove according to a third aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the second aspect, the total opening area of the pluralityof stitches is larger than the total opening area of the plurality ofbreathing pores when the plurality of breathing pores are opened.

According to this configuration, the openings near a humid or dampsurface of the hand becomes so large that the sweat or humidity on thesurface of the hand is sufficiently exhausted.

In a glove according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the second or third aspect, the opening area of one of theplurality of stitches is larger than the opening area of one of theplurality of breathing pores when the one of the plurality of breathingpores is opened.

According to this configuration, enlarges the openings near a humid ordamp surface of the hand becomes so large that the sweat or humidity onthe surface of the hand is sufficiently exhausted.

In a glove according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the total openingarea of the stitches on a palm side of the glove is larger than thetotal opening area of the stitches on a palm back side of the glove.

According to this configuration, the humidity on the surface of the handis sufficiently exhausted.

In a glove according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the coating is formedover substantially the whole surface of the base layer, or at least on apalm, a finger, and the base of a finger of the base layer in thesurface of the base layer.

According to this configuration, the coating can increase the grippingproperty or ease in handling of the glove.

In a glove according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least either oneof the number of the breathing pores per unit area (hereinafter, called“unit number”) of a plurality of breathing pores and the total openingarea of the breathing pores per unit area (hereinafter, called “unitopening area) of a plurality of breathing pores differs according torespective parts of the glove.

According to this configuration, the breathing pores can enhancebreathing air or exhausting air preferentially in a part where sweat orhumidity easily collects. In addition, the durability of the glove isnot reduced.

In a glove according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the seventh aspect, at least either one of the unit numberand the unit opening area in the base of the finger of the glove is morethan or larger than at least either one of the unit number and unitopening area in the palm of the glove.

According to this configuration, the breathing pores can preferentiallybreathe air or exhaust air at the base of the finger where sweat orhumidity easily collects. In addition, the durability of the glove isnot reduced.

In a glove according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the seventh aspect, at least either one of the unit numberand unit opening area in the finger of the glove is more than or largerthan at least either one of the unit number or unit opening area in thepalm of the glove.

According to this configuration, the breathing pores can preferentiallybreathe air or exhaust air in the finger whose shape is complicated. Inaddition, the durability of the glove is not reduced.

In a glove according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the ninth aspect, the size of a finger of a former formanufacturing a glove is smaller than a standard size thereof, and thesize of a palm of the former is equal to or larger than a standard sizethereof.

According to this configuration, the unit number or unit opening area inthe finger can be made more than or larger than the unit number or unitopening area in the palm.

In a glove according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the seventh aspect, at least either one of the unit numberand the unit opening area in the finger of the glove is less than orsmaller than at least either one of the unit number and the unit openingarea in the palm of the glove.

According to this configuration, breathability or an air exhaustingproperty can be performed preferentially in the palm whose surface areais large. Of course, the durability of the glove is not reduced.

In a glove according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to the eleventh aspect, the size of the finger of a former formanufacturing a glove is equal to or larger than a standard sizethereof, and the size of a palm of the former is smaller than a standardsize thereof.

According to this configuration, the unit number or unit opening area inthe palm can be made more than or larger than the unit number or unitopening area in the finger.

In a glove according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the breathing poresare formed by at least either one of rupturing air bubbles contained inthe coating and attaching particles to the coating.

According to this configuration, the breathing pores are easily formed.

In a glove according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the finger ofthe glove is in a bent state to the side of the palm when the glove isnot worn.

According to this configuration, the breathing pores in the finger areeasily opened wider than the breathing pores in the palm.

In a glove according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the second to fourteenth aspects, at least one ofthe plurality of breathing pores communicates with more than one of thestitches when the glove is worn.

According to this configuration, the glove can increase the degree ofbreathability due to the breathing pores.

In a glove according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the second to fourteenth aspects, at least one ofthe plurality of stitches communicates with more than one of thebreathing pores when the glove is worn.

According to this configuration, the glove can increase durabilityagainst deterioration of the coating due to expansion of the breathingpores while securing breathability.

In a glove according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention,in addition to any one of the second to sixteenth aspects, the stitchesare formed by knitting a reference yarn having a low stretching propertyand a yarn having a stretching property.

According to this configuration, it becomes easy for the stitches tokeep their opening. As a result, breathability produced in communicationwith the breathing pores increases.

In a glove according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention,in addition to the seventeenth aspect, the reference yarn includesbamboo fiber.

According to this configuration, the reference yarn can reduce thestretching property.

In a glove according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, the coating isformed on the surfaces of the finger and the palm, excluding at leastpart of the base of the finger and a finger joint of the glove.

According to this configuration, breathability at a part in which sweator water collects easily and which has less effect on gripping property.

In a glove according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, inaddition to any one of the first to nineteenth aspects, the thickness ofthe coating on the base of the fingers and the finger joint of the gloveis thinner than the thickness of the coating on the finger and the palmof the glove.

According to this configuration, breathability at a part in which sweator water collects easily and which has less effect on gripping propertycan be increased.

In a glove according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention,in addition to any one of the first to nineteenth aspects, the thicknessof the coating on the finger of the glove is thinner than the thicknessof the coating on the palm.

According to this configuration, breathability of the finger where sweator water is problematic can be increased by a simpler method.

In a glove according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention,in addition to any one of the first to nineteenth aspects, the thicknessof the coating on a fingertip of the glove is thicker than the thicknessof the coating on at least either one of the finger and the palm.

According to this configuration, the glove can increase the grip forceof the fingertip.

In a glove according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention,in addition to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects, thechromaticity of the base layer contains darker part than thechromaticity of the coating.

According to this configuration, the glove can make a user indirectlygrasp the presence of the breathing pores or the openings thereof.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described.

(Overall Summary)

First, the summary of a glove according to the first embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The glove according to thefirst embodiment has a shape conforming with the shape of a human hand,and is used in a state where a user who is an ordinary human is wearingthe glove on his/her hand.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the glove according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a palm side view of aglove 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the glove according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a palm back side view of the glove 1, which is the oppositeside from in FIG. 1.

The glove 1 includes a base layer 2, a coating 3 formed on a surface ofthe base layer 2, and a plurality of breathing pores 4 formed in thecoating 3. The base layer 2 has the shape of a hand, and is made offibers having a stretching property. The coating 3 is formed on thesurface of the base layer 2, at least on the surface of a palm 5. It ispreferred that the coating 3 has a waterproof property similar to thatof resin, artificial leather or the like. The plurality of breathingpores 4 is located in the coating 3, though not visible in FIG. 1 or 2.The opening area of the breathing pores 4 when the glove 1 is worn islarger than the opening area of the breathing pores 4 when the glove 1is not worn.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partially enlarged views of the coating in the firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows the state of thecoating 3 when the glove 1 is not worn (that is, shows a state that thecoating 3 is not stretched), and FIG. 3B shows the state of the coating3 when the glove 1 is worn (that is, shows a state that the coating 3 isstretched by wearing of the glove 1). The coating 3 includes theplurality of breathing pores 4. These breathing pores 4 are irregularlyshaped, and have various shapes.

In FIG. 3A, since the glove 1 is not worn, the base layer 2 and thecoating 3 which form the glove 1 are each not stretched. Therefore, eachof the plurality of breathing pores 4 included in the coating 3 isclosed or slightly opened. On the other hand, in FIG. 3B, since theglove 1 is worn, the base layer 2 and the coating 3 which form the glove1 stretch along a hand on which the glove is worn, respectively. Withthis stretch, the opening area of each of the plurality of breathingpores 4 included in the coating 3 increases. The opening area of thebreathing pore 4 shown in FIG. 3B is obviously larger than the openingarea of the breathing pore 4 shown in FIG. 3A.

Thus, by inserting a user's hand into the glove 1, the base layer 2having a stretching property expands. Since the coating 3 is attached tothe surface of the base layer 2, the coating 3 also expands inevitablyaccording to the expansion of the base layer 2. Due to this expansion,namely, stretch, of the coating 3, each of the plurality of breathingpores 4 included in the coating 3 increases its opening area.

Since the coating 3 is formed from a material having a waterproofproperty, such as resin or artificial leather, penetration of waterthrough the palm 5 can be reduced. In addition, since the coating 3 isformed from resin, artificial leather, or the like, slip resistance whena user handles an object with the glove 1 worn on his/her hand can beachieved, or improvement of grip force can be achieved.

In addition, the coating 3 includes the plurality of breathing pores 4,and the plurality of breathing pores 4 increase their opening areas whenthe glove 1 is worn more than when the glove 1 is not worn. Therefore,when a user wears the glove 1, the opening areas of the plurality ofbreathing pores 4 increase with the stretch of the coating 3, andbreathability is obtained through these expanded breathing pores 4. Whenthe glove 1 is not worn, these opening areas of the plurality ofbreathing pores 4 are smaller than those when the glove 1 is worn, or,in some cases, are not sufficiently opened, so that water is preventedfrom unnecessarily penetrating through the palm into the glove 1 whenthe glove 1 is not in use.

Thus, the glove 1 according to the first embodiment can achieve both acertain waterproof property expected when the glove is not in use, andgrip force and breathability when the glove is in use.

Since the base layer 2 is made from fiber, the base layer 2 has aplurality of stitches created by knitting fibers. The stitch is definedas an opening space created between fibers. FIG. 4 is a front viewshowing the relationship between the base layer and the breathing poresof the glove according to the first embodiment. The base layer 2 isformed by knitting fibers 21. Therefore, a stitch 22, which is anopening space, is formed by combining lengthwise and crosswise fibers21. The base layer 2 is made by knitting a plurality of fibers 21lengthwise and crosswise, which results in that the base layer 2 has aplurality of stitches 22. That is, it can be said that the plurality ofstitches 22 constitute the base layer 2.

The coating 3 is formed on the surface of the base layer 2, whichresults in that the coating 3 is formed on the surface of the stitches22. The breathing pores 4 are provided in this coating 3, and theopening areas of the breathing pores 4 increase by wearing of the glove1. Therefore, by wearing of the glove 1, the opening areas of thebreathing pores 4 increase, and then the breathing pores 4 communicatewith the stitches 22 of the base layer 2. The stitches 22, of course,ventilates the surface of the hand, which results in that the surface ofthe hand, the stitches 22, the breathing pores 4, and the outsidecommunicate with each other. As a result, humidity or water on thesurface of the hand is released to the outside through the breathingpores 4, so that the breathability of the glove 1 increases. Of course,temperature lowering inside the glove 1 is promoted, so that a humidfeeling is also reduced.

(Base Layer)

The base layer 2 is a fundamental part of the glove 1 having an outershape of a knitted glove made of fibers. The base layer 2 ismanufactured by knitting natural materials, such as cotton or hemp, orsynthetic fiber, such as nylon or polyester. Especially, it is preferredthat woolly finished yarn is used. At this time, the base layer 2 ismanufactured as a knitted fabric or woven fabric. In addition, ifcellulose fiber, such as cotton or hemp, is used, the base layer 2 has ahigh humidity absorbing property. On the other hand, in terms of anantibacterial property, good texture, a humidity desorbing property, anda quick-drying property, it is also preferred that bamboo fiber is used.Regarding the bamboo fiber, a method of manufacturing the same isdisclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-101291. Inaddition, the details of fiber identification and consumptioncharacteristics of bamboo fiber are disclosed in Bulletin of Study No. 1of Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute, 2006.

In either case, the base layer 2 is made from a fibrous material, andtherefore the base layer 2 has a stretching property. This stretchingproperty of the base layer 2 allows the glove 1 to stretch when a userwears the glove 1. When the user takes off the glove 1, of course, theglove 1 is relieved from the stretch and returns to its original size.

The glove 1 is manufactured with use of a former having the shape of ahuman hand. The shape and size of this former determine the shape andsize of the glove 1. Therefore, the shape or size of the glove 1 can bechanged by changing the former. For example, a change in shape or size,such as child size, adult size, male size, female size, or seniorcitizen size, or S size, M size, or L size, is realized by changingformers for manufacturing the glove 1.

Since the base layer 2 is made from material made of fibers, the baselayer 2 has a plurality of stitches. The plurality of stitches allowsthe glove 1 worn on a hand of a user to breathe. The plurality ofbreathing pores 4 communicate with the stitches, thereby realizingbreathability between the hand in the glove 1 and the outside.Therefore, the breathability of the glove 1 increases or decreasesaccording to the shape, size, or position of the plurality of stitchesincluded in the base layer 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base layer 2 includes the palm 5, lingers6, a wrist 7, and a palm back 8. A former used for manufacturing theglove 1 includes elements of these palm 5, fingers 6, wrist 7, and palmback 8, and fibers are knitted along this former, so that the base layer2 obtains a shape including these elements. The elements of these palm5, fingers 6, wrist 7, and palm back 8 not only correspond to the shapeof a user's hand, but also relate to the differences in level ofnecessity for breathing air. Therefore, these elements cause variouskinds of variations of breathability secured by the breathing pores 4.

(Coating)

The coating 3 is formed on the surface of the base layer 2. By dippingthe manufactured base layer 2 in a liquid material, such as liquid resinwhich is a material for the coating 3, the coating 3 is formed on thesurface of the base layer 2. The coating 3 is formed on the surface ofthe base layer 2, but the coating 3 may be formed on the entire surfaceof the base body 2, or may be formed at least on the surface of the palm5 of the base layer 2, or may be formed at least on the surfaces of thepalm 5 and the finger 6 of the base layer 2, or may be formed on thesurfaces of the palm 5, the fingers 6, and the palm back 8 of the baselayer 2 (in the last case it means that the coating 3 is formed on thesurface of the base layer 2 except for the wrist 7). The coating 3 aimsat securing at least one of slip resistance, grip force enhancement, asimple waterproof property and safety when a user works with the glove 1on his/her hand. Therefore, according to these aims, the coating 3 isformed partially or entirely on the surface of the base layer 2.

Generally, the coating 3 is formed on the surfaces of the palm 5 and thefingers 6. FIGS. 1 and 2 show this state. As shown in FIG. 1, thecoating 3 is formed on the palm 5 and palm sides of the fingers 6. Onthe other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the coating 3 is not formed on thepalm back 8. Thus, since the coating 3 is not formed on the palm back 8,a hand in the glove 1 is not entirely covered with the coating 3. As aresult, in a part where the coating 3 is not formed (in FIG. 2, forexample, the wrist 7, the palm back 8, and the like), the stitches ofthe base layer 2 can secure breathability.

The coating 3 is formed from material, such as rubber latex or resinemulsion. As rubber latex, natural rubber latex or synthetic resinlatex, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (hereinafter, called“NBR”) or styrene-butadiene rubber (hereinafter, called “SBR”), is used.In addition, as resin emulsion, polyvinyl chloride resin, acrylic resin,urethane resin, or the like is used.

All of these materials have a waterproof property, a high grippingproperty, and a protecting property, and the coating 3 formed on thesurface of the base layer 2 can provide various effects when a userwears the glove 1. Ignoring the presence of the breathing pores 4, awaterproof property occurs in parts formed with the coating 3 due to theproperties of these materials used for the coating 3.

The coating 3 is formed on the surface of the base layer 2 by dippingthe base layer 2 in a liquid material, which is a material such asrubber latex or resin emulsion, which forms the coating 3. For example,a material, such as liquid rubber latex or resin emulsion, is stored ina container, and the base layer 2 is put into the container. Forexample, only the palm 5 of the base layer 2 is dipped in the liquidmaterial. The dipping for a predetermined period of time allows theliquid material to infiltrate into the fibers constituting the baselayer 2. When dried, the infiltrating liquid material becomes solid. Bythis solidification, the coating 3 is formed on the surface of the baselayer 2.

It should be noted that the coating 3 may be formed in such a mannerthat the base layer 2 kept worn on a former is dipped in the liquidmaterial in order to prevent the base layer 2 from deforming. At thistime, first, the base layer 2 is dipped in a coagulant, and then dippedin a liquid material obtained by mixing rubber latex or resin emulsionwith a necessary compounding agent. This is because preliminary dippingin a coagulant allows the infiltrating liquid material to become solideasily on the surface of the base layer 2. When the liquid materialbecomes solid, the coating 3 is formed on the surface of the base layer2.

In addition, if necessary, a stabilizer, a cross-linking agent, across-link dispersing element, an anti-aging agent, a thickener, aplasticizer, a defoamer, or the like is added to the liquid materialwhich forms the coating 3. The liquid material with these additivesinfiltrates into the base layer 2, thereby forming the coating 3 on thesurface of the base layer 2.

The cross-link dispersing element can be obtained by dispersing solidmatter, such as an accelerator, such as BZ, TT, CZ, or PZ, or anaccelerator activator, such as zinc oxide, or an anti-aging agent, inwater, in addition to a cross-linking agent, such as sulfur or peroxide.The cross-link dispersing element is mainly used when the liquidmaterial is rubber latex. Addition of a cross-link dispersing element toa rubber latex liquid material causes binding of rubber molecules in theform of a net, thereby improving physical properties of a resin coating,such as strength.

A described above, by dipping the surface of the base layer 2 in theliquid material, such as rubber latex or resin emulsion, the coating 3is formed on the surface of the base layer 2. In particular, by dippingthe surface of the base layer 2 in the liquid material, the coating 3 isformed on various desired parts of the base layer 2. The coating 3 notonly improves the gripping property or handling ease of the glove 1, butalso provides a balance with breathability, as described later, andtherefore it is preferred that a part to be formed with the coating 3 onis determined as desired.

(Breathing Pores)

Next, the breathing pores 4 will be described.

The breathing pores 4 is formed in the coating 3, and the opening areasof the breathing pores 4 when the glove 1 are worn is larger than theopening areas thereof when the glove 1 is not worn. By wearing the glove1 on a user's hand, the opening areas of the breathing pore 4 are madelarger than those when the glove 1 is not worn. As a result, a user ofthe glove 1 can secure breathability.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a state that the opening areas of the breathingpores 4 have been expanded by wearing of the glove 4. In FIG. 3A showingthat the glove 1 is not worn, the opening areas of the breathing pores 4are small, but, in FIG. 3B showing that the glove 1 is worn, the openingareas of the breathing pores 4 are large. Since the base layer 2 has astretching property, the coating 3 formed on the surface of the baselayer 2 also has a stretching property. The breathing pores 4 are formedin the coating 3, in other words, the breathing pores 4 are like tears,cracks, holes, and cuts generated in a plurality of locations in thecoating 3.

Since the coating 3 is stretched by wearing of the glove 1, these tears,cracks, holes, and cuts are expanded. Such expansion causes the openingareas of the breathing pores 4 to expand as shown in FIG. 3B. Due toexpansion of the opening areas of the breathing pores 4, the breathingpores 4 communicate with openings of the stitches of the base layer 2,the surface of the human hand communicates with the outside, and thusairflow paths are formed. This airflow paths release humidity or steam(caused by sweat or the like) generated on the surface of the human handto the outside, so that a user using the glove 1 can be keptcomfortable.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are descriptive views showing how the breathing poresexpand according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.5A and 5B show a partial side view of the glove, showing that theplurality of breathing pores 4 formed in the coating 3 expands accordingto wearing of the glove 1 on a hand of a user.

FIG. 5A shows a partial side view of the glove 1 in an unworn state ofthe glove 1. A coating 3 a is formed on the surface of a base layer 2 a.The base layer 2 a has stitches, and the base layer 2 a and the coating3 a are not stretched when the glove 1 is not worn. Therefore, breathingpores 4 a formed in the coating 3 a still have small opening areas (notsufficiently opened). An encircled part in FIG. 5A shows an enlargedview of the side view of the glove 1. As shown in the enlarged view inFIG. 5A, when the glove 1 is not worn, the breathing pores 4 a areclosed or not sufficiently opened.

FIG. 5B shows a partial side view of the glove 1 in a worn state of theglove 1. An encircled part shows a partially enlarged view of the sideview. A base layer 2 b has stitches, and a coating 3 b is formed on thesurface of this base layer 2 b. This coating 3 b includes a plurality ofbreathing pores 4 b, and by wearing of the glove 1, the base layer 2 band the coating 3 b are stretched. With this stretch, the breathingpores 4 b expand. This is also obvious from the encircled enlarged view.The breathing pores 4 b expand, and openings of the breathing pores 4 bcommunicate with the stitches of the base layer 2. This communicationallows humidity or the like on the surface of the hand to be released tothe outside.

(Openings of the Breathing Pores 4)

The statement that the opening areas of the breathing pores 4 when theglove 1 is worn are larger than the opening areas of the breathing pores4 when the glove 1 is not worn includes various conditions.

An example is a condition that when the glove 1 is not worn, thebreathing pores 4 are opened but insufficiently opened and have smallopening areas, and when the glove 1 is worn, the breathing pores 4 aresufficiently opened and have large opening areas. That is, the exampleis a condition that regardless of whether the glove 1 is worn or notworn, the breathing pores 4 are opened, but, when the glove 1 is worn,the opening areas of the breathing pores 4 expand.

In addition, another example is a condition that when the glove 1 is notworn, the breathing pores 4 are closed (shut up), and, when the glove 1is worn, the breathing pores 4 are opened. That is, a condition that thebreathing pores 4 become opened from their closed state is included.

In addition, the coating 3 includes the plurality of breathing pores 4,and the breathing pores 4 may be tears, cracks, holes, or cuts.Therefore, the plurality of breathing pores 4 may be a mixture ofbreathing pores 4 which opens from their closed state and breathingpores 4 which opens wider from their opened state. For example, when theglove 1 is not worn, some of the plurality of breathing pores 4 areclosed, and the rest of the breathing pores 4 are opened. When the glove1 is worn, the closed breathing pores 4 open, and the opened breathingpores 4 open wider.

Alternatively, there may be some of the plurality of breathing pores 4which remain closed or remain small in opening area even if the glove 1is worn. On the contrary, there may be some of the breathing pores 4whose opening areas become small according to the degree of stretch ofthe base layer 2 or the coating 3 when the glove 1 is worn. For example,the palm 5 is easily stretched by wearing of the glove 1, but the baseof the finger 6 or the sides of the palm 5 may be rather compressed.This is because, in this case, the breathing pores 4 in the palm 5expand their opening, but the compression can prevent the breathingpores 4 at the base of the finger 6 or the sides of the palm 5 fromexpanding their opening, or can narrow the breathing pores 4 thereat.

Since the coating 3 includes the plurality of (numerous) breathing pores4, when the glove 1 is not worn, there are various breathing pores 4,(1) some of which are closed, (2) some of which are slightly opened, and(3) some of which are opened, and, when the glove 1 is worn, there arevarious breathing pores 4, (1) some of which become opened from theirclosed state, (2) some of which become larger in opening area than whenthe glove 1 is not worn, (3) some of which remain unchanged in openingarea from when the glove 1 is not worn, and (4) some of which becomesmaller in opening area than when the glove 1 is not worn. Even in sucha mixed state, most of the breathing pores 4 expand their opening areaaccording to the stretch of the glove 1. As a result, breathability inthe coating 3 is secured.

In addition, some of the breathing pores 4 are opened in a longitudinaldirection of the glove 1, some of them are opened in a lateral directionthereof, some of them are opened in an oblique direction thereof, andsome of them are opened in other directions. Which direction thebreathing pores 4 are opened in depends on the locations or shapes ofthe breathing pores 4.

The opening area of each of the plurality of breathing pores 4 maybecome larger when the glove 1 is worn than when the glove 1 is notworn, or the total opening area of the plurality of breathing pores 4may become larger when the glove 1 is worn than when the glove 1 is notworn. That is, in terms of one of the plurality of breathing pores 4,the opening area of this breathing pore 4 increases when the glove 1 isworn, so that the breathability is improved in the location where thebreathing pore 4 is present. On the other hand, when the plurality ofbreathing pores 4 are considered as a whole, the total opening area ofthe breathing pores 4 increases, so that the glove 1 breathes well intotal.

Regarding the glove 1 according to the first embodiment, the statementthat the opening areas of the breathing pores 4 when the glove 1 is wornare larger than the opening areas of the breathing pores 4 when theglove 1 is not worn includes various patterns, and does not preclude thepresence of different patterns in some of the plurality of breathingpores 4. In addition, the breathability may be improved by increasingthe opening area of the breathing pore 4, or the breathability may beimproved by increasing the total opening area of the breathing pores 4.

(Relation Between the Breathing Pores and the Base Layer)

Next, the communication between the breathing pores 4 and the base layer2 will be described. The way that the breathing pores 4 and the stitches22 communicate with each other is as described above with reference toFIG. 4.

Since the base layer 2 has a fibrous structure, the base layer 2 has aplurality of stitches. The breathing pores 4 communicate with thesestitches, thereby allowing air to pass between the surface of the handand the outside. The stitches spread throughout the base layer 2, andthe stitches are covered with the coating 3. Therefore, when thebreathing pores 4 located in the coating 3 are opened, the stitches,which are opened in their initial state (the stitches in this casefurther increase their opening area according to wearing of the glove1), communicate with the openings of the breathing pores 4, so that airis allowed to pass between the surface of the hand and the outside.Therefore, the way of breathing varies according to the relationshipbetween the openings of the stitches and the openings of the breathingpores 4.

For example, the total opening area of the plurality of stitches duringwearing of the glove 1 is larger than the total opening area of theplurality of breathing pores 4. Since the stitches are included in thebase layer 2, the stitches come into direct contact with the surface ofthe hand. On the other hand, the breathing pores 4 come into indirectcontact with the surface of the hand. Ventilation of the glove 1 isperformed in two directions: a taking-in direction in which air is takeninto the glove 1 from the outside; and a discharging direction in whichhumidity or the like is released from the surface of the hand to theoutside. Regarding these two directions, in order to maintain thecomfort of a user of the glove 1, discharging performance in thedischarging direction is important.

Since the opening areas of the stitches, which are closer to the surfaceof the hand, are larger than the opening areas of the breathing pores 4,which are farther from the surface of the hand, the openings of thestitches first suck a lot of humidity or steam from the surface of thehand, and then the openings of the breathing pores 4 release thehumidity or steam passing through the stitches to the outside. Makingthe openings of the breathing pores 4 excessively large might cause thecoating 3 to be torn or broken, so it is not preferred that thebreathing pores 4 are made excessively large. This results indeterioration in glove durability. On the other hand, if the openings ofthe stitches are made small in the same manner as the breathing pores 4,the breathability in the discharging direction from the surface of thehand to the outside deteriorates. Thus, making the total opening area ofthe stitches larger than the total opening area of the breathing pores 4improves breathing performance in the discharging direction from thesurface of the hand to the outside, without lowering the durability ofthe glove 1.

In addition, the relationship between the openings of the stitches andthe openings of the breathing pores 4 may be determined in terms of thetotal opening area, as described above, or may be determined in terms ofthe relationship between one of the plurality of stitches and one of theplurality of breathing pore 4.

For example, the opening area of one of the plurality of stitches islarger than the opening area of one of the plurality of breathing pores4. It should be understood that in the relationship between the openingareas of the plurality of stitches and the opening areas of theplurality of breathing pores 4, the opening area of some stitch may belarger than the opening area of some breathing pore 4, or the openingarea of some stitch may be smaller than the opening area of somebreathing pore 4. That is, when the relationship between some stitch andsome breathing pore 4 is considered, the opening area of the stitch islarge.

Thus, making the opening area of one of the plurality of stitches largerthan the opening are of one of the plurality of breathing pores 4improves breathability in the discharging direction from the surface ofthe hand to the outside, as in the case of the total opening area. As aresult, the comfort of a user of the glove 1 increases.

Since the glove 1 is composed of the base layer 2 including the stitchesand the coating 3 including the breathing pores 4, an aspect based onthe interrelation between the stitches and the breathing pores 4 leadsto enhancement or improvement in breathability. As described above,making the total opening area of the stitches or the opening area ofsome stitch larger than the total opening area of the breathing pores 4or the opening area of some breathing pore 4 improves the breathabilityin the discharging direction which is important in breathability. Itshould be noted that making large the opening area of the stitches whichcome into contact with the surface of the hand can provide the advantagethat the stitches absorb hot air from the surface of the hand higher intemperature than the outside, and then easily release the hot air to theoutside.

In addition, it is also preferred that the total opening area of thestitches in the palm 5 of the base layer 2 is larger than the totalopening area of the stitches in the palm back 8 of the base layer 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, in many cases, the coating 3 is provided on the palm5, but not provided on the palm back 8. Therefore, the base layer 2 isexposed in the palm back 8, so that breathability can be secured even ifthe opening areas of the stitches of the base layer 2 are small. Inaddition, there is also the problem that excessively large opening areasof the stitches in the palm back 8 weaken a structural retentive abilityof the glove 1.

On the other hand, since the palm 5 is covered with the coating 3 inmany cases, it is important for the palm 5 to secure breathability. Thecoating 3 includes the breathing pores 4 whose opening areas expandaccording to wearing of the glove 1, and the breathing pores 4 cancommunicate with the stitches, thereby securing the breathability of theglove 1. Therefore, it is important to make the opening areas of thestitches larger in order to improve the breathability (in particular, toimprove the breathability in the discharging direction from the surfaceof the hand to the outside). In terms of breathability, large openingareas of the stitches are effective in the palm 5. It is necessary, ofcourse, to keep a limit at which the glove 1 can exert its structuralretentive ability. However, since the palm 5 are covered with thecoating 3, even if the opening areas of the stitches of the base layer 2are large, the glove 1 can exert its structural retentive ability.

Thus, making the total opening area of the stitches of the base layer 2larger in the palm 5 than in the palm back 8 can realize well-balancedbreathability of the whole glove 1, while keeping the structuralretentive ability of the glove 1.

It should be noted that the difference in the total opening area of thestitches between the palm 5 and the palm back 8 may be determined by thenumber of the stitches, or may be determined by the opening areas ofindividual stitches, or may be determined by multiplying the number ofthe stitches by the opening of the stitch.

As described above, since the breathing pores 4 provided in the coating3 expand their opening areas according to wearing of the glove 1, theglove 1 according to the first embodiment can realize breathability,without impairing the grip force or ease in handling of the glove 1.

Second Embodiment

Next a second embodiment will be described. Regarding the secondembodiment, the relationship between the parts of the glove 1 and thebreathing pores 4 will be described.

The glove 1, of course, is worn on a human hand. The glove 1 of thepresent invention expands the opening areas of the breathing pores 4according to wearing of the glove 1, thereby securing breathability.Here, when a person with his/her hand worn with a glove works, sweat orhumidity is collected at different locations on his/her hand. Further,in addition to the difference in location where sweat or humidity iscollected, the level of discomfort due to sweat or humidity varies forrespective locations. For example, the base of the finger 6 is easilydepressed because of its structure, and sweat or water easily collectsin this depression.

Thus, it may be necessary to provide differences in level ofbreathability among parts of a hand (parts of the glove 1). It ispreferred that the differences in level of breathablity are set byvarious parameters, such as the number, opening area, or total openingarea of breathing pores 4, or the number, opening area, or total openingarea of stitches.

Therefore, it is also preferred that at least either one of the numberof the breathing pores 4 per unit area (hereinafter, called “unitnumber”) of a plurality of breathing pores 4 and the total opening areaof the breathing pores 4 per unit area (hereinafter, called “unitopening area”) of a plurality of breathing pores 4 differs according torespective parts of the glove 1. Based on this difference, differencesin level of breathability occur according to the part of the glove 1(that is, according to parts of a human hand). Differences in level ofbreathability can be optimally adapted to user's discomfort.

In the glove 1 according to the second embodiment, the fact that atleast either one of the unit number and unit opening area of thebreathing pores 4 differs according to parts of the glove causesunevenness in level of breathability, but the difference ofbreathability varies according to the feeling of a user or the aspect ofuse of the glove. Therefore, some examples will be shown below.

Example 1 Giving Priority to the Base of a Finger Over a Palm

The unit number in a base 61 of the finger 6 of the glove 1 is largerthan the unit number in the palm 5 of the glove 1. Alternatively, theunit opening area in the base 61 of the finger 6 of the glove 1 islarger than the unit opening area in the palm 5 of the glove 1. Only oneof the unit number and unit opening area may be more or larger, or boththe unit number and the unit opening area may be more or larger.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the glove according to the second embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the breathing pores 4 larger thanwhat they should be originally, so that the distribution of thebreathing pores 4 can be easily understood. All circles drawn in thesurface of the coating 3 in FIG. 6 schematically represent the breathingpores 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, the unit number in the base 61 of the finger 6 ismore than the unit number in the palm 5. In a user's hand, a depressionis easily formed in the base of a finger, in which sweat or humidityinevitably easily collects. In addition, since the base of a finger isin contact with an adjacent finger, sweat or humidity collecting in thebase of a finger causes a user to feel discomfort. On the other hand,since the palm has a large area, it can be thought that even if the unitnumber is small in the palm, sweat or humidity does not easily collectin the palm.

Therefore, it is preferred that the unit number in the base 61 of thefinger 6 of the glove 1 corresponding to the base of a finger of auser's hand is larger than the unit number in the palm 5 of the glove 1corresponding to the palm of a user's hand. This is because as the unitnumber increases, it becomes easier to release steam or humidity fromthe base 61 of the finger 6 in which sweat or humidity easily collects.

In addition, FIG. 6 shows the difference in unit number, but thedifference in unit opening area makes no difference. That is, making theunit opening area in the base 61 of the finger 6 larger than the unitopening area in the palm 5 increases the breathability in the base of afinger where sweat or humidity more easily collects. As a result, a highdegree of comfort of a user of the glove 1 is kept.

It should be understood that even if either one of the unit number andunit opening area in the base 61 of the finger 6 is smaller than eitherone of the unit number and unit opening area in the palm 5, thebreathability in the base 61 of the finger 6 can be made higher than thebreathability in the palm 5 by making the other in the base 61 of thefinger 6 larger than the other in the palm 5. Of course, when any one ofthe plurality of breathing pores 4 is considered, even if the openingarea of any one of the plurality of breathing pores 4 in the base 61 ofthe finger 6 is smaller than the opening area of any one of theplurality of breathing pores 4 in the palm 5, it is only required thatthere is a difference in least either one of the unit number and unitopening area as a whole. It is preferred that such a difference makesthe breathability of the base 61 of the finger 6 larger than thebreathability of the palm 5 for the purpose of user's comfort.

It should be noted that this comparison between the base 61 of thefinger 6 and the palm 5 of the glove 1 means a comparison between thedesign of the breathing pores 4 formed in the coating 3 in a locationcorresponding to the base 61 of the finger 6 of the glove 1 and thedesign of the breathing pores 4 formed in the coating 3 in a locationcorresponding to the palm 5 of the glove 1.

Example 2 A Case where Breathing of a Finger is Given Priority OverBreathing of a Palm

At least either one of the unit number and unit opening area of thebreathing pores 4 in the finger 6 of the glove 1 is more or larger thanat least either one of the unit number and unit opening area of thebreathing pores 4 in the palm 5 of the glove 1. That is, the unit numberin the finger 6 of the glove 1 is more than the unit number in the palm5 of the glove 1. Alternatively, the unit opening area in the finger 6of the glove 1 is larger than the unit opening area in the palm 5 of theglove 1. Alternatively, both the unit number and unit opening area inthe finger 6 of the glove 1 are more or larger than the unit number andunit opening area in the palm 5 of the glove 1.

That is, the breathing pores 4 in the finger 6 of the glove 1 havehigher breathing performance than the breathing pores 4 in the palm 5 ofthe glove 1 on the basis of the number or opening area thereof. Thebreathing pores 4 increase their opening areas when the glove 1 is worn.By this increase in opening area, the breathing pores 4 allow breathingbetween the surface of the hand and the outside. Therefore, since theunit number or unit opening area in the finger 6 is larger than the unitnumber or unit opening area in the palm 5, the breathing performance ofthe breathing pores 4 in the finger 6 is higher than the breathingperformance of the breathing pores 4 in the palm 5.

Since the unit number in the finger 6 is more than the unit number inthe palm 5, the finger 6 has a larger number of airflow paths betweenthe surface of the hand and the outside than the palm 5. Since thenumber of airflow paths is more, the breathability in the finger 6becomes relatively higher than the breathability in the palm 5. This isalso achieved by making the unit opening area in the finger 6 largerthan the unit opening area in the palm 5.

In a human hand, a finger has a complicated shape and has a plurality ofjoints. Therefore, sweat or humidity easily collects in the finger dueto the joints or complicated shape. In this regard, as described above,since at least either one of the unit number and unit opening area inthe finger 6 is more or larger than at least either one of the unitnumber and unit opening area in the palm 5, sweat or humidity thatcollects easily in the finger can be released more efficiently. As aresult, user's comfort can be kept. In addition, since the unit numberor unit opening area in the palm 5 is relatively few or small, thecoating 3 can be prevented from being damaged.

It should be noted that the unit number or unit opening area representsthe number or total opening area of the breathing pores 4 in apredetermined unit area (for example, 1 cm² or the like), and thepredetermined unit area can be determined optionally and flexibly. Inaddition, regarding the difference in number or unit opening area, it isonly required to show a tendency to have the difference, and it is notrequired to prove an exact difference in unit number or unit openingarea. For example, even if a region where the unit number in the finger6 is less than the unit number in the palm 5 and a region where the unitnumber in the finger 6 is more than the unit number in the palm 5 existin a mixed manner due to change of a region representing a unit area, aslong as the unit number in the finger 6 has a tendency to be larger thanthe unit number in the palm 5, the unit number in the finger 6 isregarded to be more than the unit number in the palm 5. This is alsoapplied to the case of the unit opening area.

In addition, while the unit number in the finger 6 is more than the unitnumber in the palm 5, the unit opening area in the finger 6 may besmaller than the unit opening area in the palm 5. On the contrary, whilethe unit opening area in the finger 6 is larger than the unit openingarea in the palm 5, the unit number in the finger 6 may be less than theunit number in the palm 5. In either case, it is only required that theaspect of the glove 1 where the breathing performance in the finger 6 ishigher than the breathing performance in the palm 5 appears based uponthe shape, number, opening area, or total opening area of the breathingpores 4.

(Manufacturing Method)

The breathing pores 4 are formed by various means, such as air bubblesin the coating 3 or attaching particles to the coating 3. Therefore, theglove 1 described in Example 2 where the unit number in the finger 6 ismore than unit number in the palm 5 is manufactured by making the numberof air bubbles in the coating 3 or the number of particles to beattached to the coating 3 more in the finger 6 than in the palm 5.

On the other hand, the glove 1 described in Example 2 where the unitopening area in the finger 6 is larger than the unit opening are in thepalm 5 is manufactured by making the sizes of individual air bubbles orthe sizes of a particles to be attached larger in the finger 6 than inthe palm 5.

In addition, not on the basis of an element that is difficult to controlin manufacture, such as air bubbles or particles by which the breathingpores 4 are formed, but on the basis of the design of a former formanufacturing the glove 1, an aspect that the unit opening area in thefinger 6 is made larger than the unit opening area in the palm 5 can berealized.

In the former for manufacturing the glove 1, the size of a finger issmaller than a standard size thereof, and the size of a palm is largerthan a standard size thereof. For example, a small size is used for thesize of the finger of the former is, and a middle size for the size ofthe palm. Of course, combination of other sizes may be used. Since thesize of a finger of the former is smaller than a standard size thereof,and the size of a palm is larger than a standard size thereof, the glove1 to be manufactured has a size of a finger 6 relatively smaller thanthe size of palm 5.

When the glove 1 is worn, since the size of the finger 6 is relativelysmaller than the size of the palm 5, the finger 6 is stretched more thanthe palm 5 according to wearing of the glove 1. The breathing pores 4increase their opening areas according to the stretch of the glove 1(base layer 2). Therefore, when the degree of stretch of the finger 6 islarger than the degree of stretch of the palm 5, the breathing pores 4in the finger 6 open wider than the breathing pores 4 in the palm 5. Asa result, the unit opening area of the finger 6 becomes easier to expandthan the unit opening area of the palm 5. In consideration of the factthat a hand is inserted into the glove 1 when the glove 1 is worn, theglove 1 is so manufactured as to be unbalanced in order to adjust theopening areas of the breathing pores 4.

Thus, since the former for manufacturing the glove 1 has a finger and apalm in an unbalanced relationship, the unit opening area in the finger6 becomes larger than the unit opening area in the palm 5.

Example 3 A Case where Breathing of a Palm is Given Priority OverBreathing of a Finger

At least either one of the unit number and unit opening area in thefinger 6 of the glove 1 is less or smaller than at least either one ofthe unit number and unit opening area in the palm 5 of the glove 1. Thatis, the unit number in the finger 6 of the glove 1 is less than the unitnumber in the palm 5 of the glove 1. Alternatively, the unit openingarea in the finger 6 of the glove 1 is smaller than the unit openingarea in the palm of the glove 1. Alternatively, both the unit number andunit opening area in the finger 6 of the glove 1 are less or smallerthan both the unit number and unit opening area in the palm 5 of theglove 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the glove according to the second embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an aspect of the glove 1 wherethe unit number in the finger 6 is less than the unit number in the palm5.

That is, the breathing pores 4 in the palm 5 of the glove 1 have higherbreathing performance than the breathing pores 4 in the finger 6 of theglove 1 on the basis of the number or opening areas of the breathingpores 4. The breathing pores 4 increase opening areas when the glove 1is worn. This increase in opening area allows the breathing pores 4 tobreathe air between the surface of the hand and the outside. Therefore,since the unit number or unit opening areas in the palm 5 is larger thanthe unit number or unit opening areas in the finger 6, the breathingpores 4 in the palm 5 have higher breathing performance than thebreathing pores 4 in the finger 6.

Since the unit number in the palm 5 is more than the unit number in thefinger 6, the palm 5 has a larger number of airflow paths between thesurface of the hand and the outside of the glove 1 than the finger 6has. Since the palm 5 has a larger number of the airflow paths, thebreathability in the palm 5 becomes higher relative to the breathabilityin the finger 6. This can also be achieved by making the unit openingarea in the palm 5 larger than the unit opening area in the finger 6.

In a human hand, a palm is thought to sweat the most. This is because apalm has a large surface area, and performs bending or grasping, orcomes into thermal contact with a grasped object. In addition, since apalm is bent when an object is grasped with a hand, produced sweateasily collects on the surface of the palm. Furthermore, the graspedobject acts as an obstacle that makes it difficult to release sweat orhumidity collecting on the surface of the palm. In order to solve such aproblem, by making at least either one of the unit number or unitopening area in the finger 6 less or smaller than at least either one ofthe unit number or unit opening area in the palm 5, like Example 3, itis made possible for the sweat or humidity that collects easily on thesurface of the palm to be released efficiently to the outside.

Here, since the unit number or unit opening area in the finger 6 isrelatively less or smaller than the unit number or unit opening area inthe palm 5, openings due to the breathing pores 4 in the whole coating 3is not increased excessively. As a result, the durability or strength ofthe coating 3 is not affected adversely.

It should be noted that the unit number or unit opening area in anarbitrary region in the finger 6 and the unit number or unit openingarea in an arbitrary region in the palm 5 can be compared with eachother, and that it is only required that at least either one of the unitnumber or unit opening area in the finger 6 shows a tendency to be lessor smaller than at least either one of the unit number or unit openingarea in the palm 5. That is, the possibility is not excluded that theunit number or unit opening area in a certain region in the finger 6 maybe more or larger than the unit number or unit opening area in a certainregion in the palm 5. Even if such a reverse aspect is detected, as longas it is found that as a whole, the unit number or unit opening area inthe finger 6 has a tendency to be less or smaller than the unit numberor unit opening area in the palm 5, it can be determined that at leasteither one of the unit number and unit opening area in the finger 6 isless or smaller than at least either one of the unit number and unitopening area in the palm 5. That is, regarding the difference in numberor unit opening area, it is only required to show a tendency to have thedifference, and it is not required to prove an exact difference in unitnumber or unit opening area.

In addition, such an aspect can be adopted that the unit number in thefinger 6 is less than the unit number in the palm 5, while the unitopening area in the finger 6 is larger than the unit opening area in thepalm 5. On the contrary, such an aspect can be adopted that the unitopening area in the finger 6 is smaller than the unit opening area inthe palm 5, while the unit number in the finger 6 is more than the unitopening area in the palm 5.

In any case, it is only required that the aspect of the glove 1 wherethe breathing performance in the palm 5 is higher than the breathingperformance in the finger 6 appears based upon the shape, number,opening areas, or total opening area of the breathing pores 4.

In addition, the unit opening area used in describing Examples 1, 2, and3 is based on the opening areas of the breathing pores 4 when the glove1 is worn, and this accepts the possibility that the worn state of theglove 1 can vary according to respective wearers. In addition, the unitopening area based on the opening areas of the breathing pores 4 whenthe glove 1 is not worn is not excluded.

Manufacturing Method

A method for manufacturing the glove 1 corresponding to the aspect ofthe Example 3 will be described.

The breathing pores 4 are formed by various means, such as forming airbubbles in the coating 3 or attaching particles to the coating 3.Therefore, the glove 1 described in Example 3 where the unit number inthe finger 6 is less than the unit number in the palm 5 is manufacturedby making the number of air bubbles in the coating 3 or the number ofparticles attached to the coating 3 less in the finger 6 than in thepalm 5.

On the other hand, the glove 1 described in Example 3 where the unitopening area in the finger 6 is smaller than the unit opening area inthe palm 5 is manufactured by making the size of an individual airbubble or the size of an attached particle smaller in the finger 6 thanin the palm 5.

In addition, not on the basis of an element that is difficult to controlin manufacture, such as air bubbles or particles that form the breathingpores 4, but by the design of the former for manufacturing the glove 1,the glove 1 can obtain an aspect where the unit opening area in thefinger 6 is smaller than the unit opening area in the palm 5.

The size of a finger of the former for manufacturing the glove 1 isequal to or larger than the standard size of the corresponding finger ofa human hand, and the size of a palm of the former is smaller than thestandard size of the palm of a human hand. For example, while the sizeof the finger of the former is a middle size, a small size is used asthe size of the palm. Of course, combination of other sizes may be used.Since the size of the finger of the former is equal to or larger thanthe standard size and the size of the palm of the former is smaller thanthe standard size, the manufactured glove 1 has the finger 6 that islarge relative to the size of the palm 5.

For example, when the original patter is of a large size, the followingvalues are applied:

Standard: a middle finger circumference of 68 mm; and a palmcircumference of 220 mm

Example: a middle finger circumference of 68 mm; and a palmcircumference of 180 mm.

As can be seen from this example, in a comparison of middle fingercircumference between the standard and the example, 68 mm/68 mm=1.0,but, in a comparison of palm circumference between the standard and theexample, 180 mm/220 mm=0.8. Thus, the size of the finger of the exampleis equal to or larger than the size of the finger of the standard, andthe size of the palm of the example is smaller than the size of the palmof the standard. Here, the standard represents a size obtained on thebasis of an average value calculated from numerous measured examples bythe inventors.

When the glove 1 is worn, since the size of the palm 5 is small relativeto the size of the finger 6, the palm 5 stretches more than the finger 6according to wearing of the glove 1. The opening areas of the breathingpores 4 increase according to the stretch of the glove 1 (base layer 2).Therefore, when the degree of stretch of the palm 5 is higher than thedegree of stretch of the finger 6, the breathing pores 4 in the palm 5open wider than the breathing pores 4 in the finger 6. As a result, theunit opening area of the palm 5 becomes easier to expand than the unitopening area of the finger 6. In consideration of the fact that a handis inserted into the glove 1 when the glove 1 is worn, the opening areasof the breathing pores 4 is adjusted by manufacturing the glove 1 to beunbalanced in advance.

Thus, since the former for manufacturing the glove 1 has a finger and apalm in an unbalanced relationship, the unit opening area in the palm 5becomes larger than the unit opening area in the finger 6.

The breathing pores 4, of course, becomes more breathable as the numberof the breathing pores 4 or the opening area of the breathing pore 4increases. However, the breathing pore 4 is formed in the coating 3, andthe breathing pores 4 are tears or cracks penetrating the coating 3.Therefore, if the number of the breathing pores 4 or the opening area ofthe breathing pore 4 increases excessively, the coating 3 may be torn ordamaged, resulting in the glove 1 being no longer usable.

As described in the second embodiment, both preventing the coating 3from being damaged and securing breathability required depending on theparts of the coating 3 can be satisfied by making the unit number orunit opening area of the breathing pores 4 different according to theparts of the glove 1. Since differences in level of breathability arerequired according to respective parts of a human hand, as described inthe second embodiment, it is preferred that the differences in level ofbreathability are provided in consideration of ensuring thecompatibility with damage prevention of the coating 3.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, adesign for opening the breathing pores 4 more easily will be described.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of the glove 1 in the third embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 8A shows a side view of the glove 1 in anunworn state, and FIG. 8B shows a side view of the glove 1 in a wornstate.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the finger 6 of the glove 1 is bent to the side ofthe palm 5 when the glove 1 is not worn. Since the glove 1 ismanufactured in such a manner that the finger 6 is bent to the side ofthe palm 5 when the glove 1 is not worn, the coating 3 is also benttoward the side of the palm 5. That is, the coating 3 is put in a shrunkstate toward the side of the palm 5. When the coating 3 is shrunk towardthe side of the palm 5, the breathing pores 4 formed in the coating 3have small opening areas.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the glove 1 is worn, thefinger 6 is stretched straight in such a manner that the finger 6 benttoward the side of the palm 5 becomes nearly parallel to the palm back8. As a result, the coating 3 formed on the palm 5 is so stretched as tobend backward. This stretch allows the breathing pores 4 formed in thecoating 3 on the palm 5 to open sufficiently. When the breathing pores4, in particular the breathing pores 4 on the palm 5, are openedsufficiently, air exhaust or breathing on the surface of a palm on whichsweat or humidity easily collects is improved. This is because it isgenerally thought that the palm of a hand sweats more easily than thepalm back, and sweat more easily collects on the palm than on the palmback.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, since the finger 6 has been bent toward theside of the palm 5 in a manufactured stage of the glove 1, when theglove 1 is worn, the palm 5 or the finger 6 on the side of the palm 5are easily stretched, of course. In view of a waterproof property ordurability, it is not preferred that the breathing pores 4 are openedwide when the glove 1 is not worn, but it is difficult to design theshape of the breathing pores 4 so that the opening areas of thebreathing pores 4 expand when the glove 1 is worn. On the other hand, ifthe coating 3 on the palm 5 is easily stretched by wearing of the glove1, it becomes possible to open the breathing pores 4 sufficientlywithout applying extra stress to the coating 3 or the breathing pores 4(and, of course, without giving a user consideration or stress inwearing the glove 1).

On the other hand, when the glove 1 is manufactured with the finger 6has not been bent toward the side of the palm 5 in the manufacturedstage of the glove 1 (for example, imagine the state shown in FIG. 8B),the coating 3 on the palm 5 is not easily stretched even when a userwears the glove 1. As a result, the breathing pores 4 on the palm 5 arenot opened wide. As a result, breathing of the palm where sweat orhumidity easily collects becomes insufficient.

In addition to the state that the finger 6 has been bent toward the sideof the palm 5, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the palm 5 may be curledinward, or respective fingers 6 may be put in different bent states.This is because by wearing of the glove 1, the coating 3 on the palm 5or the finger 6 naturally stretches, resulting in expansion of thebreathing pores 4. Of course, when it is desired that breathing of thepalm back 8 be enhanced, in the opposite manner from what is shown inFIG. 8A, the glove 1 can be so manufactured as to have the finger 6 benttoward the side of the palm back 8.

As described above, since the glove 1 according to the third embodimentis so manufactured as to have a bent shape in advance, the breathingpores 4 expand by wearing of the glove 1. As a result, the glove 1 canbe realized with high breathability or a high air exhausting property.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

In the fourth embodiment, a method for forming the breathing pores 4will be described.

The breathing pores 4 are formed in the coating 3. An element isidentified as a pore like the breathing pore 4, but includes not only acircular or oval pore but also a wide variety of through-holes havingunspecified shapes, such as a tear or a crack. Therefore, the pore shapeof the breathing pore 4 includes various shapes, such as a circle, oval,square, rectangle, rhombus, bar-like shape, straight-line shape, orbroken line shape.

Since the breathing pores 4 are formed in the coating 3, the breathingpores 4 are formed by various methods in the stage of formation of thecoating 3.

Since the coating 3 is formed by dipping the base layer 2 in a liquidmaterial, the breathing pores 4 are formed when the base layer 2 isdipped in the liquid material or in the process before or after dipping.

(Formation by Foaming)

The coating 3 is made from a foaming liquid material, and the breathingpores 4 are formed by drying the liquid material infiltrating the dippedbase layer 2, and then rupturing air bubbles. FIG. 9 is a descriptiveview showing a process for forming the breathing pores 4 according tothe fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows side facesof the base layer 2 and the coating 3.

The coating 3 is infiltrated into the base layer 2 as a liquid material.The liquid material has foaming property, and has a plurality of airbubbles 4A. The air bubbles 4A are kept while the coating 3 is in theform of a liquid, but rupture according to drying of the coating 3 afterthe infiltration. The bottom half of FIG. 9 shows that the air bubbles4A have been ruptured. Traces of the air bubbles 4A define the breathingpores 4 that connect the base layer 2 and the outside of the glove 1. Ofcourse, there is the possibility that some of the air bubbles 4A are notso ruptured as to reach the base layer 2, but, in that case, thebreathing pores 4 can be torn to the base layer 2 through the use of theglove 1.

Since the base layer 2 is dipped in a preliminarily foamed liquidmaterial, the coating 3 containing the air bubbles 4A is formed, and therupture of the air bubbles 4A forms the breathing pores 4. By takingadvantage of such air bubbles 4A, the breathing pores 4 are easilyformed.

An existing mechanical method or chemical method is used to cause theliquid material to contain air bubbles. In a mechanical method, air issupplied into the liquid material while the liquid material is beingstirred, and when a predetermined volume is reached, the air supply isstopped, and the liquid material is stirred until the bubbles arestabilized.

It is preferred that the amount of air bubbles contained in the coating3 is less than 15 vol % per unit volume of the coating 3. Morepreferably, the amount thereof is 5 to 10 vol %. More than 10 vol % ofair bubbles improves breathability but reduces wear resistance. On thecontrary, less than 5 vol % of air bubbles deteriorates breathability,but improves wear resistance. Therefore, it is preferred that the amountof air bubbles is 5 to 10 vol %.

The amount of air bubbles is measured according to the followingprocedure. First, 500 ml of the liquid material is poured into agraduated cylinder whose weight is known so that the weight of thisliquid material is measured. Since the specific gravity of liquidmaterial is generally “1”, the amount of air bubbles is determined bythe calculation formula “the amount of air bubbles=(500−the weight ofthe liquid material)/500”.

(Formation by Particles)

In addition, the liquid material that forms the coating 3 containsparticles, and the base layer 2 is dipped in this liquid materialcontaining particles serving as the coating 3 so that the liquidmaterial containing particles infiltrates into the base layer 2. In theprocess of drying the infiltrating liquid material to form the coating3, the particles fall off or damage the coating 3, thereby forming thebreathing pores 4. This is because due to the fall of the particles orthe damages by the particles, the coating 3 is perforated so that thebase layer 2 and the outside of the glove 1 are connected to each other.

Alternatively, the particles may be attached to the surface of thecoating 3 after the base layer 2 is dipped in the liquid material.Similarly, the attached particles fall off or damage the coating 3,thereby forming the breathing pores 4. In addition, it is also preferredthat in the process of drying the liquid material, the breathing pores 4are forcibly formed in the coating 3 by removing the particles or movingthe particles on the coating 3 forcibly.

As described above, the breathing pores 4 are formed in the process ofdipping the base layer 2 in the liquid material that forms the coating 3or in the process after the dipping.

It should be understood that the above processes are only examples offorming the breathing pores 4, and a needle-like tool may be used toform the breathing pores 4.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, anactual process of manufacturing the glove will be described.

(Manufacture of the Base Layer)

First, the base layer 2 is manufactured.

The base layer 2 is manufactured by knitting or weaving a fabric fromnatural fiber, such as cotton, or synthetic fiber, such as nylon orpolyester. In this regard, it is preferred that such a material asnatural fiber or synthetic fiber is woolly finished. In addition, asdescribed in the third embodiment, the size of the finger of the formermay be smaller than the standard size, and the size of the palm of theformer may be equal to or larger than the standard size. Alternatively,the size of the linger of the former may be equal to or larger than thestandard size, and the size of the palm of the former may be smallerthan the standard size. In either case, the opening areas of thebreathing pores 4 of the finger 6 and the opening areas of the breathingpore 4 of the palm 5 may be made different from each other.

In addition, as described in the first embodiment, using bamboo fiber isalso preferred.

(Manufacture of a Liquid Material that Forms the Coating)

The coating 3 is formed by dipping the base layer 2 in such a liquidmaterial as resin.

It is preferred that rubber latex or resin emulsion is used as theliquid material. The rubber latex includes natural rubber latex, andsynthetic resin latex, such as NBR and SBR. The resin emulsion includespolyvinyl chloride resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, and the like.

The liquid material is prepared by adding a stabilizer, a cross-linkingagent, a cross-link dispersing element, an anti-aging agent, athickener, a plasticizer, an defoamer, or the like, if necessary, tothese kinds of rubber latex or resin emulsion. By dipping the base layer2 in the liquid material thus prepared, the coating 3 is formed on thesurface of the base layer 2. The coating 3 is provided for the purposeof improving not only waterproof property but also the gripping propertyof the glove 1.

This coating 3 includes the breathing pores 4, and the breathing pores 4are formed by tears, cracks, cuts or the like in the coating 3.Specifically, the breathing pores 4 may be formed such that a forceapplied by wearing of the base layer 2 (the base layer 2 may be worn ona human hand or may be worn on the former used in manufacture) generatestears, cracks, or cuts in the coating 3 formed on the surface of thebase layer 2. Therefore, it is preferred that the coating 3 is easilytorn or broken.

Since the coating 3 is made easily tearable or breakable, the followingideas are applied to the manufacturing process of the liquid materialitself or to the manufacturing process of the coating 3.

Example 1

The liquid material is prepared by mixing a main material, such asrubber latex, with an additive, such as a stabilizer. This liquidmaterial is matured for a predetermine period of time. By making thismaturing period longer than usual, the liquid material is excessivelymatured. The excessively-matured liquid material can form the coating 3that is easily tearable or breakable.

Example 2

It is also preferred that the rubber purity is reduced by mixing theliquid material with a lot of filler. If the rubber purity is reduced,the liquid material can form the coating 3 that is easily tearable orbreakable.

Example 3

As described in the fourth embodiment, it is also preferred that theliquid material is preliminarily foamed. Foaming may be performed bystirring the liquid material (in particular, stirring while supplyingair). The breathing pores 4 are easily formed by communication orrupture of air bubbles obtained by foaming. In addition, of course, theliquid material containing air bubbles due to foaming can form thecoating 3 that is easily tearable or breakable. In addition, it is alsopreferred that air bubbles are ruptured at the step of dipping thecoating 3 in a solvent (swelling the coating 3).

Example 4

It is also preferred that the liquid material is mixed with particles orpowder. Since the liquid material is mixed with particles or powder, theparticles or powder is also attached to the coating 3. Stresses areconcentrated around the particles or powder, so that the coating 3 iseasily torn. That is, such a liquid material can form the coating 3 thatis easily tearable or breakable. It should be noted that particles maybe attached at the step of dipping the coating 3 in a solvent (swellingthe coating 3).

Example 5

It is also preferred that the coating 3 is thinned. This is because ifthe coating 3 is thin, of course, the coating 3 is easily tearable orbreakable. The thickness of the coating 3 is adjusted, for example,according to the time for which the base layer 2 is dipped in the liquidmaterial, the viscosity of the liquid material, or the like.

Example 6

After dipping the base layer 2 in the liquid material, the coating 3 isdipped in a solvent having a similar solubility parameter to the coating3. As a result, the coating 3 is swollen. Thereafter, when the coating 3is dried, the coating 3 is shrunk and becomes rough. That is, thesurface of the coating 3 is very finely corrugated. Such roughness makesthe coating 3 easily tearable or breakable.

As described above, the coating 3 formed according to any one method ofExamples 1 to 6 is easily tearable or breakable, so that the breathingpores 4 are easily formed.

In addition, respective parts of the glove 1, such as the finger 6, thebase 61, and the palm 5, may be dipped in different liquid materialsprepared by any one of Examples 1 to 6. For example, if it is desiredthat the number or the total opening area of the breathing pores 4 ofthe finger 6 increases, the liquid material in which the finger 6 isdipped is prepared by any one of Example 1 to 6, while the liquidmaterial in which the palm 5 is dipped is not treated by any one ofExamples 1 to 6. On the other hand, if it is desired that the number orthe total opening area of the breathing pores 4 of the palm 5 is largerthan that of the finger 6, the liquid material in which the palm 5 isdipped is prepared by any one of Examples 1 to 6, while the liquidmaterial in which the finger 6 is dipped is not treated by any one ofExamples 1 to 6.

In addition, it is also preferred that the liquid material is subjectedto maturing process. The liquid material obtained by mixing resin withvarious substances is matured for an arbitrary period of time at atemperature of 30° C. The liquid material after such maturing processaffects the coating 3 to be formed.

(Formation of the Coating 3)

The base layer 2 is dipped in the liquid material.

First, the base layer 2 is put on the former, and subjected totemperature adjustment. Thereafter, the base layer 2 is dipped in acoagulant. Furthermore, the base layer 2 is dipped in the liquidmaterial. After the dipping, the base layer 2 is taken out of the liquidmaterial, and the coating 2 is formed by performing such a treatment asdrying.

For coagulation of the liquid material, a salt coagulation method, aheat-sensitive coagulaton method, a straight dipping method, or the likeis used. The salt coagulation is a method for gelation of the liquidmaterial with salt. The thermal corrugation method is a method forthermal gelation of the liquid material preliminarily added with a heatsensitizing agent. The straight dipping method is a method for gelationof the liquid material by drying without using a coagulation agent or aheat sensitizing agent. For the coagulation agent used in the saltcoagulation method, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, or the like isused.

The liquid material may be dried by hot wind, or dried by being left atroom temperature.

(Formation of the Breathing Pores 4)

After the coating 3 is formed according to drying of the liquidmaterial, the breathing pores 4 are formed in the coating 3 by such anevent as wearing of the glove 1. Since the breathing pores 4 are formedfrom cracks, tears, cuts, or the like in the coating 3, there are twopatterns of formation of the breathing pores 4: the breathing pores 4formed at the time of shipping the glove 1; and the breathing pores 4formed by using the glove 1. Therefore, the number or the opening areasof the breathing pores 4 can vary. As described in Examples 1 to 6,since the liquid resin so prepared as to make the coating 3 easilytearable or breakable forms the coating 3 (part or all of the coating3), the breathing pores 4 are easily formed by wearing of the glove 1.

As described above, the number or the total opening area of thebreathing pores 4 (unit number or unit opening area) in each part of theglove 1 depends on level of the strength of the coating 3.

Next, various examples or comparative examples for affecting the unitnumber or unit opening area of the breathing pores 4 will be described.

In the example, the glove 1 in which the breathing pores 4 are easilyformed and in which the number or opening areas of the breathing pores 4differs between respective parts of the glove 1 will be described. Inthe comparative examples, unlike the examples, a case where it isdifficult to form the breathing pores 4, or a case where a difference inbreathing pores 4 between parts of the glove 1 cannot be realized willbe described.

Example 1

In the glove 1 of the example 1, the coating 3 was formed from a liquidmaterial subjected to maturing process for a predetermined period oftime. In the former for manufacturing the glove 1, the ratio of lingercircumference (the ratio of the former to the standard size) was 1.0,and the ratio of palm circumference (the ratio of the former to thestandard size) was 0.8. The base layer 2 was made of woolly polyester.The base layer 2 was heated to 60° C. by former temperature adjustment,dipped in a coagulant (methanol solution containing 1% calciumchloride), and dipped in a liquid material that was matured for 24 hoursat 30° C. Thereafter, the base layer 2 was dipped in a solvent(toluene), and then dried and vulcanized for 30 minutes at 110° C., andthus the glove was formed.

In this example 1, the unit number or unit opening area of the breathingpores 4 in the palm 5 was more or larger than the unit number or unitopening area of the breathing pores 4 in the finger 6. Due to unevennessof the former for manufacturing the glove 1 and maturing of the liquidmaterial, the difference in unit number or unit opening area could berealized.

Example 2

The glove 1 in the example 2 was manufactured in the following process.First, the base layer 2 (100% woolly polyester) worn on the former wasdipped in a coagulant (methanol solution containing 1% calciumchloride), and then dipped in the matured liquid material. Thereafter,the based 2 was dried and dipped in a solvent (toluene solution), andthe infiltrating liquid material, which was the coating 3, was swollen,and then the base layer 2 was dried for 30 minutes at 110° C.

In the glove 1 of the example 2 thus manufactured, irregularity occurson the coating 3, and the breathing pores 4 were easily formed bywearing the glove 1.

In addition, it is also preferred that plural kinds of liquid materialsdifferent in maturing time are preliminarily formed, and that thematuring time of the liquid material is changed according to respectiveparts of the glove 1. This is because, as a result, respective parts ofthe glove 1 have different irregularities, so that the unit number orunit opening area of the breathing pores 4 becomes different accordingto the parts of the glove 1.

Example 3

The glove 1 of the example 3 was manufactured by dipping the base layer2 in the liquid material containing 10 vol % air bubbles. It should beunderstood that the liquid material may be dried after the dipping.

In the glove 1 thus manufactured of the example 3, the breathing pores 4were easily formed by rupturing the air bubbles. In addition, it is alsopreferred that two types of liquid material are preliminarily prepared:a liquid material containing a large amount of air bubbles; and a liquidmaterial containing a small amount of air bubbles, so that the amount ofair bubbles in the liquid material is changed according to the part ofthe glove 1. This is because, in this case, the unit number or unitopening area of the breathing pores 4 can be made different according tothe part of the glove.

Example 4

The glove 1 of the example 4 was manufactured through the process ofdipping the base layer 2 in the liquid material containing 5% powdernatural rubber. It should be understood that the liquid material may bedried after the dipping.

In the glove 1 manufactured according to the example 4, the breathingpores 4 could be easily formed by stress of the powder natural rubber.In addition, it is also preferred that plurality kinds of liquidmaterial are preliminarily prepared: a liquid material having a highmixing ratio of powder natural rubber; and a liquid material having alow mixing ratio of powder natural rubber, so that the mixing ratio ofpowder natural rubber in the liquid material is changed according torespective parts of the glove 1. This is because, in this case, the unitnumber or the unit opening area of the breathing pores 4 can be madedifferent according to the parts of the glove.

As described above, the gloves 1 of the examples 1 to 4 makes itpossible to form the breathing pores 4 easily, or to make the unitnumber or unit opening area different according to the parts of theglove 1.

In addition, the comparative examples for comparison to the examples 1to 4 will be described. The comparative examples 1 to 4 resulted in afailure to form the breathing pores 4, insufficient formation of thebreathing pores 4, or a difficulty in uneven formation of the breathingpores 4.

Comparative Example 1

The comparative example 1 was manufactured without conducting thematuring process of the liquid material.

In the glove 1 manufactured in the comparative example 1 without thematuring process of the liquid material, the breathing pores 4 could notbe formed.

Comparative Example 2

In the comparative example 2, the glove 1 was manufactured using theformer for manufacturing the glove 1 with a ratio of fingercircumference (the ratio of the employed former to the standard size) of0.8, and a ratio of palm circumference (the ratio of the employed formerto the standard size) of 0.8.

In the glove 1 manufactured in the comparative example 2, the unitnumber or unit opening area of the breathing pores 4 in the finger 6 wassimilar to the unit number or unit opening area of the breathing pores 4in the palm 5. This was because since the differences did not differaccording to parts of the base layer 2, a difference in unit number orunit opening area was not generated according to the parts.

Comparative Example 3

In the glove 1 of the comparative example 3, the base layer 2 was madeof Fibers having no stretching property (for example, cotton). The restof the glove 1 was manufactured in the same manufacturing process as theexample 1.

Since the base layer 2 did not have a stretching property, the coating 3was not stretched even when the glove 1 of the comparative example 3 wasworn, and therefore the breathing pores 4 were not formed.

Comparative Example 4

The glove 1 of the comparative example 4 was manufactured using theformer for manufacturing the glove 1 with a ratio of fingercircumference (the ratio of the employed former to the standard size) of1.0, and a ratio of palm circumference (the ratio of the employed formerto the standard size) of 1.0.

In the glove 1 of the comparative example 4, since the finger 6 and thepalm 5 were not stretched by wearing of the glove 1, the breathing pores4 were not formed.

As described above, the comparative examples 1 to 4 have the problemthat the breathing pores 4 were not formed, that the breathing pores 4were insufficiently formed, or that the breathing pores were differentlyformed.

Sixth Embodiment Communication Between the Breathing Pores and theStitches

When the breathing pores 4 are opened by wearing the glove 1, thebreathing pores 4 opened communicate with the stitches 22 of the baselayer 2, so that breathing air between the surface of the hand and theoutside is achieved.

Here, the breathing pores 4 and the stitches 22 communicate with eachother via relationships. FIG. 10 is a front view of a glove according toa sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a palm sidewhere the coating 3 is formed. The glove 1 in FIG. 10 has the coating 3on the surface of the palm, and the coating 3 has the breathing pores 4.An encircled part shows an enlarged view of the breathing pore 4 and itssurroundings.

The coating 3 has a plurality of breathing pores 4. At this time, atleast one of the breathing pores 4 may communicate with more than one ofthe stitches 22. FIG. 10 shows that one of the breathing pores 4 thuscommunicates with more than one of the stitches 22. Since one of thebreathing pores 4 communicates with more than one of the stitches 22,the breathability increases. This is because though the breathing pores4 provide breathability between the surface of the hand and the outsideof the glove 1, communication of one of the breathing pore 4 with morethan one of the stitches 22 enhances the breathing performance.

Since one of the breathing pores 4 allows air to pass through more thanone of the stitches 22, the volume of breathing of an individualbreathing pore 4 increases. Thus, the communication between one of thebreathing pores 4 and more than one of the stitches 22 provides theadvantage that the breathing performance is enhanced.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the glove according to the sixth embodimentof the present invention. In the glove 1 shown in FIG. 11, unlike theglove 1 in FIG. 10, at least one of the stitches 22 communicates withmore than one of the breathing pores 4. An encircled part in FIG. 11 isan enlarged view of the breathing pores 4 and their surroundings.

As shown in the enlarged view, one of the stitches 22 communicates withmore than one of the breathing pores 4. This is realized when thebreathing pores 4 are small. Alternatively, this is also realized whenthe stitches 22 are large. The breathability of the glove 1 is providedby communication between the breathing pores 4 and the stitches 22, butultimately the openings of the breathing pores 4 control the breathingperformance. Therefore, in communication of more than one of thebreathing pores 4 with one of the stitches 22, each of the breathingpores 4 has low breathing performance. However, there is the advantagethat the presence of many small breathing parts secures uniformbreathability over the glove 1. Alternatively, since the sizes of theopenings of the breathing pores 4 are relatively small, there is theadvantage that the durability of the coating 3 is improved.

Since the breathing pores 4 and the stitches 22 communicate with eachother in such various patterns, the breathability can be balanced withthe durability or the like. It should be noted that both FIG. 10 andFIG. 11 show that the breathing pores 4 open when the glove 1 is worn,thereby communicating with the stitches 22.

In addition, the breathing pore 4 that communicates with more than oneof the stitches 22, as shown in FIG. 10, and more than one of thebreathing pores 4 that communicate with one of the stitches may bepresent in a mixed manner in one glove 1. Since various types ofcommunications are present in a single glove 1, the glove 1 can keepbreathability and durability in balance.

(Formation Of the Stitches)

The stitches 22 are formed by knitting the base layer 2 with fibers. Aregion surrounded by knitting of fibers is the stitch 22. Since the baselayer 2 needs to have a stretching property, it is preferred that thefibers that form the base layer 2 also have stretch properties.

Here, it is also preferred that the base layer 2 is formed by knitting areference yarn having a low stretching property and a yarn having astretching property. Since the reference yarn has a low stretchingproperty while the yarn combined with the reference yarn has astretching property, lines having a low stretching property and highlines having a high stretching property intersect with each other. Forexample, when the reference yarns are used for the welt and the yarnsare used for the warp, stretching directions tend to be concentrated ina vertical direction. As a result, when the base layer 2 is stretched,the stitches 22 expand easily on a basis of the reference yarns. Inaddition, due to the presence of the reference yarns having a lowstretching property, only the yarns having a stretching property expand,so that the stitches 22 do not easily collapse. Since the stitches 22 donot easily collapse, breathing regions to communicate with the breathingpores 4 are secured.

The reference yarns may be used for the weft of the base layer 2, or maybe used for the warp. In either case, as long as the reference yarnshaving a low stretching property is combined with the stretch yarns, thestitches 22 that do not easily collapse are formed by the referenceyarns.

The reference yarn is only required to be made of a material having alow stretching property, for example, bamboo fiber. Alternatively, thereference yarn may be made of wood fiber or chemical fiber having a lowstretching property.

(Forming Location of the Coating)

The coating 3 is formed at least on the surface of the palm of the glove1. The coating 3 provides the glove 1 with a certain waterproofproperty, and improves the gripping property of the glove 1. This isbecause the coating 3 exerts a high friction force, thereby providingthe glove 1 with an anti-slip function. However, the coating 3 describedin this text prevents the glove 1 from breathing air, and thereforeproviding the coating 3 can obtain the gripping property butdeteriorates the breathability or comfort of the glove 1. The breathingpores 4 included in the coating 3 keep the breathability and comfort ofthe glove 1.

Here, a hand covered with the glove 1 produces sweat or water, therebycausing an uncomfortable feeling, but sweat or water is produced atvarious spots on the surface of a hand. Generally, when fingers of ahand are covered with a glove, a spatial volume per one finger is small,so that humidity or water easily stays in a small space (On the otherhand, the spatial volume of a palm or a palm back part covered with aglove is larger, and therefore air is allowed to circulate, so thathumidity or water less easily stays).

Therefore, it is also preferred that the coating 3 is not formed in sucha part that sweat or water easily collects. On the other hand, in orderto keep the gripping property, it is important to provide the coating 3to where the coating 3 is needed.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a glove according to the sixth embodiment ofthe present invention. In the glove 1 shown in FIG. 12, the coating 3 isformed on the surfaces of fingers and a palm, except for the bases ofthe fingers. Since respective ones of the fingers are covered with theglove 1, as described above, inevitably sweat or water easily stays inthe fingers. In particular, the base of each finger is a part wheresweat or water easily collects, since sweat produced on the finger fallsdown and collects in the base of the finger.

On the other hand, the bases of the fingers do not need much slipresistance when a user of the glove 1 grasps an object. Therefore, thebases of the fingers without the coating 3 are less problematic in termsof the gripping property. Therefore, it is also preferred that thecoating 3 is formed on the fingers (and the palm), except for the basesof the fingers. That is, the base layer 2 at the bases of the fingers isexposed. Since the coating 3 is not formed on the bases of the fingers,the exposed base layer 2 allows efficient air circulation through thestitches 22 of the base layer 2, thereby discharging sweat or watercollecting in the bases of fingers. Therefore, the user can reducehis/her uncomfortable feeling due to sweat or water that easily collectsat the bases of the fingers.

It should be understood that the breathability in parts covered with thecoating 3, such as a palm or fingers, can be secured by communication ofthe breathing pores 4 with the stitches 22.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also preferred that thecoating 3 is formed on the fingers (and the palm), except for not onlythe bases of the fingers but also the finger joints. FIG. 13 is a frontview of a glove according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Sweat or water collects at the finger joints as easily as in the basesof the fingers. Easy collection of sweat or water increases anuncomfortable feeling. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when thecoating 3 is not formed (the base layer 2 is exposed) at the fingerjoints, high breathability is secured. With this high breathability,sweat or water produced at the finger joints is easily discharged to theoutside of the glove 1, so that a comfortable feeling increases.

The finger joints have a roll in grasping, but are less important ingrasping than the fingers or the palm. Therefore, the finger jointswithout the coating 3 do not affect the grip force of the entire glove 1very much. On the other hand, as described above, high breathability atthe bases of the fingers increases the comfort of the glove 1. That is,the glove 1 shown in FIG. 13 has a balance between the gripping propertyand the comfort.

Of course, the glove 1 may be such that the coating 3 is formed on thefingers, except for the bases of the fingers and the finger joints, orthe glove 1 may be such that the coating 3 is formed except for thebases of the fingers or the coating 3 is formed except for the fingerjoints. The forming location of the coating 3 can be determined based onthe specifications of the glove 1.

It should be noted that in order not to form the coating 3 on such partsof the glove 1 as the bases of the lingers or the finger joints, it ispossible to eliminate dipping such parts in the liquid material thatforms the coating 3, or to remove the coating 3 from such parts later.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, by the fact that the coating 3 (exposingthe base layer 2) is not provided in a part in which sweat or waterparticularly easily collects and which does not negatively affect thegripping property, in combination with the function of the breathingpores 4, the glove 1 which satisfies both a gripping property andbreathability is realized.

In addition, in FIGS. 12 and 13, the glove 1 is described where thecoating 3 is not formed in the bases of the fingers and the fingerjoints where sweat or water easily collects, but the glove 1 with thecoating 3 thinned on these parts is also preferred. That is, thethickness of the coating 3 on the bases of the finger and the fingerjoints is thinner than the thickness of the coating 3 on the fingers orthe palms.

This is because when the coating 3 is thinned, the breathing pores 4 areopened wider by wearing of the glove 1, so that the breathing increases.Of course, the thin coating 3 also provides the advantage that a humidfeeling is reduced.

Thus, even if the coating 3 is formed on the bases of the fingers or thefinger joints, as long as the thickness of the coating 3 is thinner onthe bases of the fingers or the finger joints than on the other parts,it is possible to increase the usability or comfort of the glove 1.

In addition, in the fingers, sweat or water easily collects at the baseof the fingers or the finger joints (this is because, as describedabove, sweat or water produced on the fingers falls down and collects ina depression at the bases of the fingers or the finger joints). It isalso preferred that the coating 3 is not formed in the bases of thefingers or the finger joints, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, or that thethickness of the coating 3 is thinned, but these designs make themanufacturing process of the glove 1 complicated.

Therefore, it is also preferred that the thickness of the coating 3 onthe fingers is thinner than the thickness of the coating on the palm.The fingers require the coating 3 in order to increase the grippingproperty. Here, the coating 3 secures breathability through thebreathing pores 4. At this time, if the thickness of the coating 3 onthe fingers 3 is thin, the breathing pores 4 in the fingers expand moreeasily, so that the breathability of the fingers increases. Of course,the thin coating 3 leads to a reduction in the humid feeling.

In addition, in the manufacturing process, it is easy to make thethickness of the coating 3 on the entire fingers thinner than thethickness of the coating 3 of the other parts. This is because it isunnecessary to change the thickness of the coating 3 according torespective parts of the glove 1.

Thus, in view of the face that sweat or water collects easily in thefinger, it is possible to design the coating 3 so that a balance betweenthe gripping property and the breathability of the glove 1 can beoptimized.

(Improvement of the Gripping Property)

The glove 1 utilizes the coating 3 to increase the gripping property.Therefore, the coating 3 is an element that can adjust the grippingproperty. The glove 1 can hold an object in the palm, or frequentlypinches an object with the fingertips. Therefore, it is also preferredthat the thickness of the coating 3 on the fingertips is thicker thanthe thickness of the coating 3 on the fingers or the palm.

If the thickness of the coating 3 on the fingertips is thick, thepressure of the fingertips against a pinched object increases. Ofcourse, the thick coating 3 also improves durability. If the fingertipshave high durability, a user can pinch an object firmly with his/herfingertips. As a result, the grip force of the fingertips furtherincreases. Thus, the coating 3 on the fingertips thicker than thecoating 3 on the other parts contributes to an improvement in the gripforce.

Of course, the breathing pores 4 are also formed in the coating 3 on thefingertips to secure breathability. Since the coating 3 on thefingertips stretches in a convex fashion, the breathing pores 4 easilyexpand. Therefore, the breathability of the fingertips is sufficientlyobtained. In addition, it is also preferred that the coating 3 on thefingertips is not only thick but also irregularity or the like is formedby the coating 3. The irregularity provides the fingertip with ananti-slip function.

(Confirmation of the Opening of the Breathing Pore)

The breathing pores 4 expand theirs opening areas when the glove 1 isworn. The openings of the breathing pore 4 can secure the breathabilityof the glove 1. However, the breathing pores 4 are so small that thebreathing pores 4 is not easily visible. Therefore, sometimes a user ofthe glove 1 cannot easily confirm visually whether or not the breathingpores 4 are really provided, or whether or not the breathing pores 4 aresufficiently opened when he/she wears the glove 1. Of course, even ifthe breathing pores 4 are not visible, there is no problem in theperformance of the glove 1 as an actual product, but if the user canconfirm the breathing pores 4 visually, there is the advantage that thereliability of the product increases.

It is often difficult to visually confirm the openings of the breathingpores 4 easily, but it is possible to make the user understand that thebreathing pores 4 are opened.

It is preferred that the chromaticity of the base layer 2 contains adarker part than the chromaticity of the coating 3 in order to recognizethe openings of the breathing pores 4. The breathing pores 4 are formedin the coating 3. The coating 3 is formed on the surface of the baselayer 2, but it includes the breathing pores 4 and, when the openingareas of the breathing pores 4 increase, it becomes possible to visuallyconfirm the color of the base 2 behind the coating 3 through thebreathing pores 4. This is because when the chromaticity of the baselayer 2 is darker than the chromaticity of the coating 3, the presenceof many breathing pores 4 included in the coating 3 allows the color ofthe base layer 2 to be seen through the coating 3. That is, the color ofthe base layer 2 can be seen through the coating 3.

Except for a case where the coating 3 is very thin, as long as thebreathing pores 4 are not formed in the coating 3, the color of the baselayer 2 cannot be seen through the coating 3. On the other hand, whenmany breathing pores 4 are included in the coating 3, the color of thebase layer 2 can be seen through the coating 3. In particular, when thechromaticity of the base layer 2 is darker than the chromaticity of thecoating 3, the color of the base layer 2 can be more reliably seenthrough the coating 3. The statement that the chromaticity is darkmeans, for example, when the coating 3 is beige or white in color, thebase layer 3 is black or brown in color. In particular, when thebreathing pores 4 are opened by wearing of the glove 1, the color of thebase layer 2 can be further seen through the coating 3.

Thus, since the color of the base layer 2 can be seen through thecoating 3, the user can notice that the breathing pores 4 are formed. Ofcourse, when it is confirmed that the color of the base layer 2 is moreclearly seen through the coating 3 after wearing of the glove 1, theuser can feel the expansion of the opening areas of the breathing pores4 by wearing of the glove 1.

As described above, since the chromaticity of the base layer 2 is darkerthan the chromaticity of the coating 3, the breathing pores 4 allow thecolor of the base layer 2 to be seen through the coating 3. Since thebase layer 2 is thus seen through, the user can recognize that thebreathing pores 4 are formed and that the breathing pores 4 are openedby wearing of the glove 1. Since the breathing pores 4 can berecognized, the user feels safe with the glove 1, and the provider ofthe glove 1 can establish the reliability of the glove 1.

In addition, not only the chromaticity of the base layer 2 is darkerthan the chromaticity of the coating 3, but it is also preferred thatthe base layer 2 has a pattern which is darker in chromaticity than thecoating 3. FIG. 14 is a front view of a glove according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention. In the glove 1 in FIG. 14, thepattern of the base layer 2 is visible through the coating 3. In a casewhere the breathing pores 4 are included in the coating 3, the presenceof the breathing pores 4 and the openings of the breathing pores 4 allowthe pattern of the base layer 2 to be seen through the coating 3. Thisis due to the same reason as described above. That is, the pattern withdark chromaticity can be partially seen through the breathing pores 4,and is entirely visible to the user through the coating 3. In FIG. 14,polka dots 28 patterned in the base layer 2 can be seen through thecoating 3. Due to the presence of the plurality of breathing pores 4 inthe coating 3, the polka dots 28 are seen through the coating 3 in sucha manner.

Unlike the case where only the color of the base layer 2 can be seenthrough the coating 3, the pattern can be easily confirmed visually evenin a see-through manner. In addition, there is also the advantage thatthe user is amused at the appearance of the pattern of the base layer 2through the coating 3. In addition, the fact that the pattern is moreclearly seen through the coating 3 than before shows that the breathingpores 4 are getting larger than before through the use of the glove 1,or that the coating 3 is getting worn out. Therefore, the user canrecognize when to replace the glove 1 based on how clearly the patterncan be seen through the coating 3.

Thus, since the chromaticity or pattern of the base layer 2 iscontrasted with the chromaticity of the coating 3, the user canindirectly recognize the presence or openings of the breathing pores 4.There is also the advantage that the recognition increases thereliability of the glove 1.

As described above, the glove 1 according to the sixth embodiment canimprove its usability or improve its ease of use according to the designof the glove 1.

Hereinabove, the gloves described according to the first to sixthembodiments are examples for describing the gist of the presentinvention, and the present invention can be modified or altered withoutdeparting from the gist of the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

What is claimed is:
 1. A glove comprising: a hand-shaped base layer madeof fibers having a stretching property; a coating formed on a surface ofsaid base layer, at least the surface of a palm of said base layer; anda plurality of breathing pores formed in said coating, wherein theopening area of said breathing pores when the glove is worn is largerthan the opening area of said breathing pores when the glove is notworn.
 2. The glove according to claim 1, wherein said base layer has aplurality of stitches, and when said breathing pores are opened bywearing the glove, the stitches and said breathing pores communicatewith each other.
 3. The glove according to claim 2, wherein the totalopening area of the plurality of stitches is larger than the totalopening area of said plurality of breathing pores when said plurality ofbreathing pores are opened.
 4. A glove according to claim 2, wherein theopening area of one of the plurality of stitches is larger than theopening area of one of said plurality of breathing pores when the one ofsaid plurality of breathing pores is opened.
 5. A glove according toclaim 2, wherein the total opening area of the stitches on a palm of theglove is larger than the total opening area of the stitches on a palmback of the glove.
 6. A glove according to claim 1, wherein said coatingis formed over substantially the whole surface of said base layer, or atleast on a palm, fingers, and the bases of the fingers of said baselayer in the surface of said base layer.
 7. A glove according to claim1, wherein at least either one of the number of said breathing pores perunit area (hereinafter, called “unit number”) and the total opening areaof said breathing pores per unit area (hereinafter, called “unit openingarea) differs according to parts of the glove.
 8. A glove according toclaim 7, wherein at least either one of the unit number and the unitopening area in the bases of the fingers of the glove is more than orlarger than at least either one of the unit number and unit opening areain the palm of the glove.
 9. A glove according to claim 7, wherein atleast either one of the unit number and unit opening area in the fingersof the glove is more than or larger than at least either one of the unitnumber or unit opening area in the palm of the glove.
 10. A gloveaccording to claim 9, wherein the size of a finger of a former formanufacturing a glove is smaller than a standard size thereof, and thesize of a palm of the former is equal to or larger than a standard sizethereof.
 11. A glove according to claim 7, wherein at least either oneof the unit number and the unit opening area in the fingers of the gloveis less than or smaller than at least either one of the unit number andthe unit opening area in the palm of the glove.
 12. A glove according toclaim 11, wherein the size of the finger of a former for manufacturing aglove is equal to or larger than a standard size thereof, and the sizeof a palm of the former is smaller than a standard size thereof.
 13. Aglove according to claim 1, wherein said breathing pores are formed byat least either one of rupturing air bubbles contained in said coatingand attaching particles to said coating according to a step of dippingsaid coating in a solvent.
 14. A glove according to claim 1, wherein thefingers of the glove are in a bent state to the side of the palm whenthe glove is not worn.
 15. A glove according to claim 2, wherein atleast one of said plurality of breathing pores communicates with morethan one of the stitches when the glove is worn.
 16. A glove accordingto claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of stitchescommunicates with more than one of said breathing pores when the gloveis worn.
 17. A glove according to claim 2, wherein the stitches areformed by knitting reference yarns having a low stretching property andyarns having a stretching property.
 18. A glove according to claim 17,wherein the reference yarns include bamboo fibers.
 19. A glove accordingto claim 1, wherein said coating is formed on the surfaces of thefingers and the palm, excluding at least part of the bases of thefingers and finger joints of the glove.
 20. A glove according to claim1, wherein the thickness of said coating on the bases of the fingers andthe finger joints of the glove is thinner than the thickness of saidcoating on the fingers and the palm of the glove.
 21. A glove accordingto claim 1, wherein the thickness of said coating on the fingers of theglove is thinner than the thickness of said coating on the palm.
 22. Aglove according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said coating onfingertips of the glove is thicker than the thickness of said coating onat least either one of the fingers and the palm.
 23. A glove accordingto claim 1, wherein the chromaticity of said base layer contains darkerpart than the chromaticity of said coating.
 24. A method formanufacturing the glove according to claim 1, comprising: dipping asurface of said hand-shaped base layer made of fibers having astretching property, at least the surface of the palm, in a coagulant;dippling the surface of said base layer, at least the surface of thepalm, in a mixed liquid containing at least either one of air bubblesand particles; dipping said coating in a solvent to swell said coating;and drying said coating.